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Related Concept Videos

Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

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Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
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Altered states of consciousness represent significant deviations from one's normal mental state. These deviations can range from subtle changes in awareness to profound transformations in perception, thought processes, and sensory experiences. Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various factors, including drug use, meditation, hypnosis, illness, or even intense fatigue.
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Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation
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Experimental pain modulation via hypnosis: Neurophysiological perspectives.

Vilfredo De Pascalis1, Giuseppe De Benedittis2

  • 1Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.

International Review of Neurobiology
|October 29, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Hypnosis can reduce pain and distress by altering brain activity, particularly in highly hypnotizable individuals. This process involves specific brain networks and influences autonomic nervous system function for personalized pain management.

Keywords:
Autonomic nervous systemEEGERPHypnotizabilityNeuroimagingPainPain modulation in hypnosis

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology

Background:

  • Hypnosis modulates pain perception and emotional distress.
  • Individual differences in hypnotizability significantly impact hypnotic hypoalgesia.
  • Understanding the neural underpinnings of hypnosis is crucial for its clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review electrophysiological and neuroimaging findings on the neural mechanisms of hypnosis and pain modulation.
  • To emphasize the roles of hypnotizability and suggestion content in hypnotic effects.
  • To explore how hypnosis influences brain networks and autonomic functions related to pain.

Main Methods:

  • Review of electrophysiological studies (EEG, SERPs) and neuroimaging studies (fMRI).
  • Analysis of time-frequency and oscillatory EEG data.
  • Examination of functional connectivity in brain networks.
  • Assessment of autonomic nervous system responses.

Main Results:

  • Highly hypnotizable individuals show consistent pain reduction, though SERP effects vary.
  • EEG studies highlight gamma-band oscillations differentiating hypnosis from distraction.
  • Neuroimaging reveals altered activity in ACC, MCC, thalamus, sensory cortex, dlPFC, and insula, correlating with pain modulation.
  • Hypnosis reduces sympathetic arousal and increases parasympathetic tone.
  • Enhanced functional connectivity observed between ACC, PAG, and insula.

Conclusions:

  • Hypnotic hypoalgesia involves distributed brain networks and is influenced by hypnotizability and suggestion.
  • Gamma-band oscillations may serve as neural markers for hypnosis.
  • Hypnosis modulates both sensory and affective components of pain.
  • Hypnosis impacts autonomic nervous system function.
  • Hypnosis is a multifaceted process with potential as a personalized pain management tool.